UBC Math Bio Colloquium
Speakers
Details
The UBC Mathematics-Biology research group is delighted to host four distinguished speakers from South Africa as part of the University Staff Doctoral Program: Building Capacity in Applied Mathematics (USDP-BCAM). This international collaboration, which includes six universities across South Africa, the UK, Belgium, and Poland, aims to increase the number of academics with PhDs at South African institutions.
This visit is a key part of the ongoing research exchange activities between Canada and South Africa, and we are excited to strengthen our collaborative ties.
Schedule:
9 am - 9:15 am Opening remarks and introduction (Dr. Anotida Madzvamuse)
9:15 am - 10:00 am Talk | Professor FJ Mhlanga
10:10 am - 10:30 am Short Talk | Professor Khanh Dao Duc (UBC)
10:40 am - 11:35 am Talk | Dr. GT Marewo
11:45 am - 12:05 pm UBC Professor presentation
12:10 pm - 1 pm Lunch
1 pm - 1:45 pm Talk | Ms. NH Sekgothe
1:55 pm - 2:15 pm Short Talk | Professor Miranda Holmes-Cerfon (UBC)
2:20 pm - 3:05 pm Talk | Mr. RK Mahalwana
3:05 - 3:30 pm Closing remarks | PIMS tea
Additional Information
About the Building Capacity in Applied Mathematics (USDP-BCAM):
The Universities of Limpopo (South Africa), Sussex (United Kinfdom), Johannesburg (South Africa), the London School of Economics (United Kingdom), the University of Hasselt (Belgium), and the Warsaw School of Economics (Poland) established a multilateral collaboration under the theme University Staff Doctoral Programme: Building Capacity in Applied Mathematics (USDP-BCAM). The initiative aims to train ten (10) permanent academic staff members at South African institutions to obtain doctoral qualifications, thereby increasing the number of permanent academics with PhDs and strengthening supervisory capacity in postgraduate programs. The project is funded by the Newton Fund in partnership with the British Council and the South African Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET). The program has already produced seven (7) PhD graduates, with two (2) more expected in 2026, while one (1) participant has transitioned to a different doctoral program.
The visit to the University of British Columbia from 28 September to 12 October 2025 is part of the research-exchange activities between Canada and South Africa under the SA-UK University Staff Doctoral Programme (SA-UK USDP) grant. The visit will strengthen ongoing collaboration between South African and Canadian universities in support of doctoral training for academic staff at South African institutions.